Hybrid irrigation tubing

Abstract

Features of relatively low pressure microporous (and preferably plant-responsive) irrigation tubes are combined with features of relatively high pressure drip emitter tubes to produce a hybrid irrigation tube. Methods for using and manufacturing the hybrid irrigation tube are also disclosed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A hybrid irrigation tube comprising:
 a lumen; 
 a microporous membrane, micropores of the microporous membrane configured to provide fluid communication between the lumen and an exterior surface of the hybrid irrigation tube; 
 a non-porous backer, the microporous membrane and the non-porous backer each extending lengthwise on the hybrid irrigation tube, the non-porous backer being connected to the microporous membrane at a first lengthwise weld area and a second lengthwise weld area; and 
 at least one drip emitter disposed in the non-porous backer, the at least one drip emitter configured to provide fluid communication between the lumen and the exterior surface of the hybrid irrigation tube, the microporous membrane having a first operational pressure range for fluid passage, the at least one drip emitter having a second operational pressure range for fluid passage, the first operational pressure range for fluid passage including pressures below the second operational pressure range for fluid passage. 
 
     
     
       2. The hybrid irrigation tube of  claim 1 , wherein the microporous membrane includes spun-bonded polyethylene. 
     
     
       3. The hybrid irrigation tube of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the microporous membrane is treated with a hydrophilic polymer. 
     
     
       4. The hybrid irrigation tube of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one drip emitter includes:
 a first drip emitter having a third operational range for fluid passage; and 
 a second drip emitter having a fourth operational range for fluid passage, each of the third operational range for fluid passage and the fourth operational range for fluid passage being within the second operational range for fluid passage. 
 
     
     
       5. The hybrid irrigation tube of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one drip emitter is disposed on an interior surface of the non-porous backer. 
     
     
       6. The hybrid irrigation tube of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one drip emitter is disposed on an exterior surface of the non-porous backer. 
     
     
       7. A method for manufacturing the hybrid irrigation tube of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 a) providing the at least one drip emitter; 
 b) providing the non-porous backer; 
 c) bonding the at least one drip emitter to the non-porous backer; 
 d) forming an exit hole in the non-porous backer for each of the at least one drip emitter; 
 e) providing the microporous membrane; 
 f) aligning the non-porous backer to the microporous membrane; and 
 g) welding the non-porous backer to the microporous membrane at the first lengthwise weld area and the second lengthwise weld area. 
 
     
     
       8. A method for using the hybrid irrigation tube in  claim 1 , comprising
 regulating a supplied fluid at an inlet to the hybrid irrigation tube at a predetermined pressure to achieve plant-responsive irrigation, the predetermined pressure being within the first operational pressure range and outside the second operational pressure range. 
 
     
     
       9. A method for using the hybrid irrigation tube in  claim 1 , comprising regulating the supplied fluid at the inlet to the hybrid irrigation tube at a predetermined pressure to achieve amendment delivery, the predetermined pressure being within the second operational pressure range. 
     
     
       10. A method for adjusting a depth of the hybrid irrigation tube in  claim 1 , comprising:
 disposing the hybrid irrigation tube in a field; 
 planting a crop proximate to the hybrid irrigation tube; 
 irrigating the crop via the microporous membrane; 
 determining a depth of the hybrid irrigation tube; 
 determining a depth of crop roots; 
 comparing the depth of the hybrid irrigation tube to the depth of the crop roots; and 
 flushing the hybrid irrigation tube to increase the depth of the hybrid irrigation tube, the flushing using the at least one drip emitter. 
 
     
     
       11. The method for adjusting a depth of the hybrid irrigation tube presented in  claim 10 , wherein disposing the hybrid irrigation tube in the field is a surface application of the hybrid irrigation tube. 
     
     
       12. The method for adjusting a depth of the hybrid irrigation tube presented in  claim 10 , wherein disposing the hybrid irrigation tube in the field is a sub-surface application of the hybrid irrigation tube. 
     
     
       13. The hybrid irrigation tube of  claim 1 , wherein the microporous membrane includes polypropylene. 
     
     
       14. The hybrid irrigation tube of  claim 1 , wherein the microporous membrane includes polyester. 
     
     
       15. The hybrid irrigation tube of  claim 14 , wherein the non-porous backer includes polyester. 
     
     
       16. A method for using the hybrid irrigation tube in  claim 1 , comprising regulating the supplied fluid at the inlet to the hybrid irrigation tube at a predetermined pressure to achieve a flush of the hybrid irrigation tube, the predetermined pressure being within the second operational pressure range.